The World

Two Soviet Ilyushin 38 reconnaissance planes entered Italian airspace near the North Atlantic Treaty Organization base at Sigonella, Sicily, last week while a Soviet spy ship was in international waters nearby, apparently monitoring NATO radio traffic, Italian newspapers reported. Two Italian F-104 fighter planes from the Trapani-Birgi air base intercepted the Soviet aircraft after they entered Italian airspace, and the Soviet planes then left the area, the La Repubblica newspaper reported. The Soviet spy ship remained in international waters off Sicily, the newspaper Corriere Della Sera reported.